The Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) has issued a warning that the country's schools are not ready for incoming changes to the Junior Certificate Cycle.

A meeting between the union and the Department of Education and Skills is taking place today (November 25th) to discuss how teachers' concerns about the Junior Cycle reform proposals can be addressed.

It is feared that many second-level schools do not have the capacity to implement the plans due to significant cuts to education resources in the last five years, while it is also feared the changes could lower education standards and exacerbate inequality.

ASTI general secretary Pat King told RTE's Morning Ireland: "We want reform, but we want it to work well. Children get one chance to go through the school system ... it's got to be right. We are very concerned that schools are not prepared."

He added the union has solicited the opinions of around 10,000 teachers, finding that 50 per cent of school principals do not have the capacity to deal with the changes.

Meanwhile, the one-day training being provided to teachers to prepare for the new approach has been described by Mr King as "totally inadequate".

Written by Donal Walsh

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